Exploring Sportsbook Terminology: ATS

When navigating the sports betting landscape, you'll inevitably encounter the abbreviation "ATS" or "Against The Spread." Unlike straightforward bets on winners and losers, betting ATS involves wagering on the point spread, a figure set by bookmakers to balance the odds between competing teams.

The term "ATS," short for "Against The Spread," is fundamental in sports betting, particularly in games like football and basketball. Bookmakers establish the spread to level the playing field between favoured and underdog teams. When you bet "Against The Spread," you're not simply wagering on which team will win but whether the favoured team will win by more than the spread or if the underdog will lose by less than the spread or even win outright.

This concept parallels other betting phrases like "cover the spread," which means the favoured team must win by more than the spread, and "beat the spread," where the underdog team must lose by less than the spread or win the game.

This concept parallels other betting phrases like "cover the spread," which means the favoured team must win by more than the spread, and "beat the spread," where the underdog team must lose by less than the spread or win the game.

Example 1:

For a football game where 7 points over Team B favour Team A, if you bet ATS on Team B, you win if Team B either wins the game or loses by less than 7 points.

Example 2:

During a betting discussion, a bettor might say, "I've been doing great betting ATS this season. My picks are often covering the spread."

Example 3:

A sports analyst could note, "While Team X has a strong win-loss record this season, their record ATS is below average, indicating they often don't win by as many points as expected."